Fairfield Yippie Yogurt shop serves up experience

A new Fairfield business is dishing up frozen yogurt with a smile, with the goal of offering low-income youth valuable work experience and training.

The Yippie Foundation, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit, has just completed its first week in business as the Yippie Yogurt Shop, 1955 West Texas St., in Fairfield. The shop doubles as a work experience center for area youth who participate in its Job Training and Mentoring Program.

From its initial concept to crafting a business plan and raising money, it has been a three-year journey, according to Sherilyn Henry, president of the organization. And transforming the old Coyote Sam's barbecue joint into a bright and airy yogurt shop was also a monumental feat, she added, that included nearly 95 percent donated labor and materials from a wide cross-section of the business community and private citizens.

"It's like we built it together," Henry said, of the grassroots effort.

The organization describes itself as, "Helping low-income youth reach their potential as caring, contributing and family-sustaining citizens through job training, work experience, mentoring and career development."

Trevon McClain, 17, is one such youth, working his first job.

He said he joined the program to, "Gain more job experience and to further my education in as many ways as possible."

Henry said as a result of the recession, she has seen is more and more adults forced into taking entry-level work that used to be geared toward teenagers.

"Some of these kids don't even try because they know it's not going to happen. They become disillusioned," Henry said.

Program participants are paired with a mentor from the business community, provide job shadowing opportunities, and assist them in reaching their program goals. The five-month program also provides career development classes, with the ultimate goal of working in the yogurt shop.

"Going to the classes, it teaches you how to deal with problems. It seems like it's all tying together," Trevon said.

Yadira Coleman, 18, who was working as cashier on Friday, said she's been in the program nearly a year, and hopes it puts her on a path to one day opening a group home for foster children.

"It feels good. You gain more experience working with people," Coleman said.

In addition to learning how to build a resume, Coleman said the program has also helped her to open a bank account and manage money.

"It teaches you how to be responsible and independent. It gives you a sense of confidence knowing you have a job," she added.

But just because the doors are open doesn't mean their isn't work left to do. Henry said the big push is to make sure the organization is self-sustaining, which will require repeat business, something she is already seeing. From there, she'd like to expand Yippie Yogurt to other cities.

"Flipping on the OPEN sign was symbolic," Henry said. "Now people say, 'I get it.'"